Selectable component jewelry system

ABSTRACT

A selectable component jewelry system comprises a wearable jewelry base such as a finger band, pendant, or bracelet having a post for receiving interchangeable components concentrically thereon and secured thereto by an ornamental threaded cap enabling persons to create and wear unique pieces or jewelry.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to jewelry, and more particularly to a selectable component jewelry system comprising a base for interchangeably receiving a plurality of ornamental components and an ornamental cap.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Jewelry is provided in numerous forms, styles and designs. Both genuine and “fashion” or “costume” jewelry is available for purchase at various retail merchants and at more unique boutiques and jewelry stores. Consumers often desire jewelry for accessorizing one or more selected outfits or garments which require particular shapes, colors, specific gemstones, metals, ornaments, and more. Heretofore consumers have been required to purchase multiple pieces of jewelry as required to complement specific outfits and garments.

Because each piece of jewelry has an accompanying cost, the possibility of owning one or more pieces of jewelry to accessorize particular outfits or garments has generally been cost prohibitive for the average consumer. In addition to the cost associated with purchasing large numbers of jewelry items, a consumer desiring uniquely designed or eclectic jewelry pieces has heretofore been limited to purchasing such items from boutiques and designer jewelers at substantially higher cost than more commonly available jewelers items.

The present invention comprises a selectable component jewelry system which overcomes the foregoing and other difficulties which have long since characterized the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, a selectable component jewelry system comprises a base or foundation component such as a finger band, pendant, or bracelet for receiving interchangeable jewelry components and a cap for securing the components in place.

In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention the interchangeable jewelry components comprise an infinite combination of variously shaped and colored discs, rings, and other two or three dimensional jewelry adornments. Each interchangeable component comprises an orifice at or near the center thereof for concentric placement on a post extending from the base or foundation component. As used herein the term concentric means post receiving orifices having the same diameter that are axially aligned when assembled.

A cap is thereafter threadedly engaged with the post for maintaining the selected components on the post. The components and the cap may comprise ornamentation comprising various metals, colors, shapes, gemstones, and the like. The cap may further comprise a setting for receiving a gemstone thereon.

Accordingly, a consumer may purchase an infinite combination of interchangeable components and multiple caps to create an endless combination of unique jewelry pieces using the same base. The selectable component jewelry system of the present invention thereby enables a consumer to achieve a wardrobe of unique jewelry pieces at a substantially smaller investment than would be required to purchase a large number of unique jewelry pieces from a boutique or designer jeweler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating interchangeable components and caps comprising a selectable component jewelry system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the assembly of a selectable component ring according to the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an assembled view of the ring shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is an assembled view of a selectable component ring comprising a different combination of interchangeable components;

FIG. 3C is an assembled view of another selectable component ring comprising a different combination of interchangeable components;

FIG. 3D is an assembled view of yet another selectable component ring comprising a different combination of interchangeable components;

FIG. 3E is an assembled view of still another selectable component ring comprising a different combination of interchangeable components;

FIG. 3F is an assembled view of yet another selectable component ring comprising a different combination of interchangeable components;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a combination of interchangeable components which may be used to create a unique pendant according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a combination of interchangeable components which may be used to create a unique bracelet according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a selectable component jewelry system 10 comprising one embodiment of the present invention. The jewelry system 10 includes a base or foundation component 12 comprising a finger band 13 having an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 16. Coupled to the outer surface 16 is a post 18 having a proximal end 19 a and a distal end 19 b, the proximal end mounted on the band 12, the distal end 19 b comprising threads therein, the post 18 for receiving a selected combination of three interchangeable components 20. The three components 20 are vertically and concentrically placed on the post 18 in multiple rows and thereafter secured in engagement with the post 18 by a threaded cap 22.

The components 20 are selected from an infinite plurality of components, each component 20 having an orifice 21 extending therethrough whereby the components 20 are concetrically secured to the post 18. Each component 20 has its own unique shape and comprises various metals, polymers, and other materials used in the fabrication of jewelry. Additionally, each component 20 may comprise unique ornamentation comprising various colors, decorative objects, gemstones, and the like. The cap 22 may likewise be selected from an infinite variety of uniquely designed caps which may comprise various metals and may further comprise ornamentation such as colors, gemstones, and various other ornamental objects which may be mounted thereon and a threaded boss 23 extending therefrom for threaded engagement with the post 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3A, there is shown a ring 30 comprising one example of a piece of jewelry comprising the selectable component jewelry system 10 of the present invention. The ring 30 comprises a unique metal finger hand 32 having a post 18 thereon for receiving a first component 20 a, a second component 20 b, and a third 20 c thereon. A unique threaded cap 34 having a gemstone 36 mounted thereon is received into the post 18 after the components 20 a, 20 b and 20 c have been placed thereon. As shown in FIG. 2, the components 20 a, 20 b and 20 c are vertically arranged in multiple rows including a bottom row 38 a, a middle row 38 b, and an uppermost row 38 c wherein the first component 20 a comprising the bottom row 38 a has a distinctly different shape and size than the second component 20 b comprising the middle row 38 b and likewise differing from the third component 20 c comprising the uppermost row 38 c.

FIGS. 3B through 3F illustrate multiple unique rings 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 respectively, each ring comprising different variations of the ring 30 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3A, each variation comprising different selected components concentrically secured on the post 18. The multiple unique rings shown in FIGS. 3B through 3F illustrate only a few of the infinite possibilities for creating multiple pieces of unique jewelry utilizing the same band and cap. The ring 40 shown in FIG. 3B illustrates how a first component 42 a and a second component 42 b selected from the infinite plurality of unique interchangeable components 20 may comprise substantially the same diameter thereby creating a layered look while a third component 42 c may comprise a relatively smaller size and different shape.

The rings 50 and 60 shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, respectively, illustrate a more traditional placement of selected components wherein the components are placed from largest diameter and size nearest the band to smallest diameter and size nearest the cap. The rings 70 and 80 shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F, respectively, illustrate a more unique arrangement of components wherein the components may be non-aligned with each other and may not be placed according to respective sizes.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown a pendant 90 comprising another embodiment of the present invention. The pendant 90 comprises a drop 92 having an inner side 93 and an outer side 94 with a bale 96 for attaching the pendant onto a chain and a post 98 extending from the outer side 94 for receiving three components 100 a, 100 b and 100 c thereon, the components 100 a, 100 b and 100 c selected from the infinite plurality of unique interchangeable components 20. The pendant 90 is shown utilizing the same cap 34 as shown utilized on the rings in FIGS. 2 through 3F. Each of the components 100 a, 100 b and 100 c are removably mounted concentrically on the post 98 and maintained thereon by the cap 34.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown a bracelet 104 comprising yet another embodiment of the present invention. The bracelet 104 comprises a bangle 106 having an inner side 108 and an outer side 110 and a post 112 extending from the outer side 110 for receiving three components 114 a, 114 b and 114 c thereon, the components 114 a, 114 b and 114 c selected from the infinite plurality of unique interchangeable components 20. The bracelet 104 is shown utilizing the same cap 34 as shown utilized on the rings and pendant in FIGS. 2 through 4. Each of the three components are removably mounted concentrically on the post 112 and maintained thereon by the cap 34.

As illustrated by the multiple unique rings, pendant, and bracelet illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the selectable component jewelry system 10 may be utilized to create an infinite number of unique jewelry pieces using the same base, interchangeable components, and cap. Accordingly, the selectable component jewelry system 10 of the present invention may also be utilized to create jewelry such as pins or brooches, bracelet charms, and numerous other types of jewelry known to those skilled in the art.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A selectable component jewelry system comprising: a base having a first surface and a second surface; a post having a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end coupled to the second surface of the base, the distal end having a threaded opening therein for receiving a threaded cap; at least one cap having a threaded boss thereon; and an infinite plurality of ornamental components for removable and concentric mounting on the post; wherein a wearer of the piece of jewelry selects three ornamental components from the infinite plurality of ornamental components for placement on the post, the selected components concentrically mounted on the post, and the threaded cap thereafter threadedly engaged with the post for maintaining the selected components on the post.
 2. A digit ring comprising the combination of: a band having an inner an outer surface; a post having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the outer surface of the band, and the distal end having a threaded opening therein for receiving a threaded cap; at least one cap having a threaded boss thereon; and an infinite plurality of ornamental components for removable and concentric mounting on the post; wherein a wearer of the ring selects three ornamental components from the infinite plurality of ornamental components for placement on the post, the selected components concentrically mounted on the post, and the threaded cap thereafter threadedly engaged with the post for maintaining the selected components on the post.
 3. A pendant comprising the combination of: a base having an upper and lower surface and means for attaching the pendant to a chain; a post having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the upper surface of the base, and the distal end having a threaded opening therein for receiving a threaded cap; at least one cap having a threaded boss thereon; and an infinite plurality of ornamental components for removable and concentric mounting on the post; wherein a wearer of the pendant selects three ornamental components from the infinite plurality of ornamental components for placement about the post, the selected components concentrically mounted on the post, and the threaded cap thereafter threadedly engaged with the post for maintaining the selected components on the post.
 4. A bracelet comprising the combination of: a base having an upper and lower surface; a post having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to the upper surface of the base, and the distal end having a threaded opening therein for receiving a threaded cap; at least one cap having a threaded boss thereon; and an infinite plurality of ornamental components for removable and concentric mounting on the post; wherein a wearer of the bracelet selects three ornamental components from the infinite plurality of ornamental components for placement about the post, the selected components concentrically mounted on the post, and the threaded cap thereafter threadedly engaged with the post for maintaining the selected components on the post. 